Antipsychotic aminomethyl derivatives of 7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene

ABSTRACT

Compounds of the formula:  
                 
 
     useful for treatment of disorders such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson&#39;s disease, L-DOPA induced pychoses and dyskinesias, Tourette&#39;s syndrome and hyperprolactinemia and in the treatment of drug addiction such as the addiction to ethanol, nicotine or cocaine and related illnesses.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This application claims priority from co-pending provisional appliation Ser. No. 60/286,574, filed on Apr. 26, 2001, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] The clinical treatment of schizophrenia has long been defined by the dopamine hypothesis of schizophrenia, which holds that schizophrenia is a result of hyperactivity of dopaminergic neurotransmission, particularly in limbic brain structures such as nucleus accumbens (the mesolimbic dopamine system). Indeed, the positive symptoms of schizophrenia (hallucinations, delusions, thought disorder) are successfully treated with neuroleptics, which block dopamine receptors. However, such treatment is accompanied by the production of movement disorders or dyskinesias (extrapyramidal side effects), due to the blockade of nigrostriatal dopamine receptors. In addition, neuroleptics do not treat the negative symptoms of schizophrenia (social withdrawal, anhedonia, poverty of speech) which are related to a relative hypoactivity of neurotransmission in the mesocortical dopamine system and which respond to treatment by dopamine agonists.

[0003] Efforts to induce antipsychotic activity with dopamine autoreceptor agonists have been successful (Corsini et al., Adv. Biochem. Psychopharmacol. 16, 645-648, 1977; Tamminga et al., Psychiatry 398-402, 1986). Dopamine autoreceptor agonists produce a functional antagonism of dopaminergic neurotransmission by the reduction of neuronal firing and the inhibition of dopamine synthesis and release. Since dopamine autoreceptor agonists are partial agonists at postsynaptic dopamine receptors, they provide a residual level of stimulation sufficient to prevent the production of dyskinesias. Indeed, partial agonists are capable of functioning as either agonists or antagonists depending on the level of dopaminergic stimulation in a given tissue or brain region, and would therefore be expected to have efficacy versus both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia. Thus, novel dopamine partial agonists are of great interest for the treatment of schizophrenia and related disorders.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with this invention, there is provided a group of novel compounds of the formula:

[0005] wherein

[0006] R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0007] R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms;

[0008] wherein,

[0009] Y is hydrogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, or phenyl, substituted phenyl, phenoxy, substituted phenoxy, naphthyl, substituted naphthyl, naphthyloxy, substituted naphthyloxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy or substituted heteroaryloxy, wherein the heteroaryl or the heteroaryl group of heteroaryloxy is selected from thiophene, furan, pyridine, indole, chroman, coumarin, carbostyril, and quinoline;

[0010] R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0011] n is an integer from 0 to 6;

[0012] R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl, ω-phenylalkyl, substituted ω-phenylalkyl, ω-diphenylalkyl, substituted ω-diphenylalkyl, wherein the alkyl chain contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, indole, substituted indole, indazole, substituted indazole, pyridine, substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted pyrimidine, quinoline, substituted quinoline, benzoisothiazole, substituted benzoisothiazole, benzisoxazole, or substituted benzisoxazole;

[0013] R⁵ is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano or carboxamido;

[0014] R⁶ is hydrogen, 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted, or —Q—Ar;

[0015] Q is C═O, CHOH, or (CH₂)_(m),

[0016] m is an integer from 0 to 4;

[0017] Ar is phenyl optionally substituted; or

[0018] R⁵ and R⁶, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form

[0019] R⁷ is hydrogen;

[0020] R⁸ is phenyl, naphthyl, thiophene, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted; or

[0021] R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form phenyl or substituted phenyl;

[0022] R⁹ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and

[0023] R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are, independently hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

[0024] In certain preferred embodiments of the invention R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen, Z is NR³—(CH₂)_(n)—Y and R³ is hydrogen.

[0025] In some preferred embodiments of the invention , R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl,

[0026] and R⁴ is phenyl, indole, indazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted. In more preferred embodiments of this invention R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen,

[0027] and R⁴ is phenyl, indole, pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.

[0028] In other preferred embodiments of the invention R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl,

[0029] R⁵ is hydrogen or hydroxy and R⁶ is 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted. More preferably R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen,

[0030] R⁵ is hydrogen and R⁶ is 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.

[0031] In still other preferred embodiments of the invention R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl,

[0032] is hydrogen or hydroxy, R⁶ is —Q—Ar, Q is C═O or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4, and Ar is phenyl or indole, each optionally substituted. More preferably, R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen,

[0033] is hydrogen, R⁶ is —Q—Ar, Q is C═O or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4, and Ar is phenyl or indole, each optionally substituted.

[0034] In yet other preferred embodiments of the invention R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl,

[0035] is hydrogen and R⁸ is phenyl, indole, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted. More preferably R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen, Z is

[0036] is hydrogen and R⁸ is phenyl, indole, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.

[0037] In other preferred embodiments of the invention, R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl

[0038] and R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form phenyl or substituted phenyl. Still more preferably, R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen, Z is

[0039] and R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form phenyl or substituted phenyl.

[0040] Where a substituent is “substituted” as used herein, e.g. substituted phenyl or substituted heteroaryl, it may include from 1 to 3 substituents the same or different selected from hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0041] This invention relates to both the R and S stereoisomers of the 8-aminomethyl-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene, as well as to mixtures of the R and S stereoisomers. Throughout this application, the name of the product of this invention, where the absolute configuration of the 8-aminomethyl-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene is not indicated, is intended to embrace the individual R and S enantiomers as well as mixtures of the two. In some embodiments of the present invention the S stereoisomer is preferred.

[0042] Where a stereoisomer is preferred, it may in some embodiments, be provided substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer. Thus, an enantiomer substantially free of the corresponding enantiomer refers to a compound which is isolated or separated via separation techniques or prepared free of the corresponding enantiomer. Substantially free, as used herein means that the compound is made up of a significantly greater proportion of one stereoisomer. In preferred embodiments the compound is made up of at least about 90% by weight of a preferred stereoisomer. In other embodiments of the invention, the compound is made up of at least about 99% by weight of a preferred stereoisomer. Preferred stereoisomers may be isolated from racemic mixtures by any method known to those skilled in the art, including high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the formation and crystallization of chiral salts or prepared by methods described herein. See, for example, Jacques, et al., Enantiomers, Racemates and Resolutions (Wiley Interscience, New York, 1981); Wilen, S. H., et al., Tetrahedron 33:2725 (1977); Eliel, E. L. Stereochemistry of Carbon Compounds (McGraw-Hill, NY, 1962); Wilen, S. H. Tables of Resolving Agents and Optical Resolutions p. 268 (E. L. Eliel, Ed., Univ. of Notre Dame Press, Notre Dame, Ind. 1972).

[0043] Alkyl as used herein refers to an aliphatic hydrocarbon chain and includes straight and branched chains such as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, t-butyl, n-pentyl, isopentyl, neo-pentyl, n-hexyl, and isohexyl. Lower alkyl refers to alkyl having 1 to 3 carbon atoms.

[0044] Alkanamido as used herein refers to the group R—C(═O)—NH— where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0045] Alkanoyloxy as used herein refers to the group R—C(═O)—O— where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0046] Alkanesulfonamido as used herein refers to the group R—S(O)₂—NH— where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0047] Alkoxy as used herein refers to the group R—O— where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0048] Carboxamido as used herein refers to the group —CO—NH₂.

[0049] Carboalkoxy as used herein refers to the group R—O—C(═O)— where R is an alkyl group of 1 to 5 carbon atoms.

[0050] Cycloalkyl refers to cyclic alkyl groups including mono-, bi- and polycyclic rings having from 3 to 15 carbon atoms. Representative examples include cyclohexyl and adamantyl.

[0051] Halogen (or halo) as used herein refers to chlorine, bromine, fluorine and iodine.

[0052] Pharmaceutically acceptable salts are those derived from such organic and inorganic acids as: acetic, lactic, citric, cinnamic, tartaric, succinic, fumaric, maleic, malonic, mandelic, malic, oxalic, propionic, hydrochloric, hydrobromic, phosphoric, nitric, sulfuric, glycolic, pyruvic, methanesulfonic, ethanesulfonic, toluenesulfonic, salicylic, benzoic, and similarly known acceptable acids.

[0053] Specific compounds of the present invention include:

[0054] Benzyl-(-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-amine;

[0055] 8-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene;

[0056] 8-[4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-1 -ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene;

[0057] 8-[4-(5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene;

[0058] [1-(7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-methanone;

[0059] 2,3-dihydro-N-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,4-dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazole-2-methanamine;

[0060] (7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-(4-phenyl-butyl)-amine; and pharmaceutical salts thereof.

[0061] Compounds of the present invention may be prepared using intermediates of Formula II

[0062] wherein

[0063] R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms;

[0064] R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; and

[0065] X is halogen, hydroxy, alkylsulfonate of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, trifluoromethanesulfonate or benzenesulfonate, in which the benzene ring is optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.

[0066] In particular, 2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate is useful for the preparation of compounds of the present invention.

[0067] Thus, the 8-aminomethyl-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]-naphthalenes of the invention are prepared as illustrated below for examples in which Z is substituted piperazine. Specifically, the appropriately substituted nitroguaiacol is alkylated with allyl bromide in the presence of a suitable base such as sodium hydride and then demethylated by a reagent such as sodium hydroxide. The resulting 4-nitro-2-allyloxyphenol is then alkylated with glycidyl tosylate or an epihalohydrin in the presence of a base such as sodium hydride and heated in a high boiling solvent such as mesitylene or xylene to effect both rearrangement of the allyl group and cyclization of the dioxan ring. The resulting primary alcohol is converted to the tosylate by reaction with p-toluenesulfonyl chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine or pyridine or alternatively to a halide by reaction with carbon tetrabromide or carbon tetrachloride in combination with triphenylphosphine. The allyl side chain is then isomerized by treatment with catalytic bis-acetonitrile palladium (II) chloride in refluxing methylene chloride or benzene and cleaved to the corresponding o-nitrobenzaldehyde by treatment with ozone followed by diisopropylethylamine or by

[0068] catalytic osmium tetroxide in the presence of sodium periodate. The o-nitrobenzaldehyde is cyclized to the 7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]-naphthalene tosylate or halide by treatment with a suitable reducing agent such as stannous chloride dihydrate in ethyl acetate. Replacement of the tosylate or halide with amines appropriate to the invention (Z—H) in some high boiling solvent such as dimethyl sulfoxide gives the title compounds of the invention in which R² is hydrogen.

[0069] Compounds of the invention in which R² is alkyl are prepared by treatment of the o-nitrobenzaldehyde described above with the appropriate alkyl Grignard reagent in a suitable solvent such as ether or tetrahydrofuran prior to the cyclization. Oxidation of the resulting alcohol with a suitable

[0070] oxidant such as pyridinium chlorochromate (PCC), Jones' reagent or the Swern procedure gives the o-nitro ketone, which upon reduction as above with stannous chloride gives the 1-alkyl-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene. Replacement of the tosylate or halide with the appropriate amines as above gives the title compounds of the invention. Conversion of the o-nitrobenzaldehyde to the trifluoromethyl alcohol by treatment with (trifluoromethyl)trimethylsilane and catalytic tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride, followed by the oxidation and cyclization sequence described above leads to compounds of the invention in which R² is trifluoromethyl.

[0071] Compounds of the invention in which R² is carboxy may be prepared from the allyl derivative described above by the following procedure. The allyl group is cleaved to an acetic acid residue by treatment with potassium permanganate. Cyclization via dehydration with concentrated sulfuric acid gives the 1-carboxy-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene, from which the ester, amide and nitrile derivatives may be prepared by methods known to one schooled in the art. Alternatively, the o-nitrophenylacetic acid may be converted to the ester, amide or nitrile by standard methods and cyclized via treatment with phosphorus pentachloride or chlorotrimethylsilane and triethylamine to give the isoxazole ester, amide or nitrile. Compounds of the invention in which R² is alkoxy may similarly be

[0072] prepared from the rearranged olefin by oxidation to the benzoic acid with potassium permanganate, followed by esterification by treatment with a thionyl chloride in the appropriate alcohol and cyclization by treatment with stannous chloride as above. Compounds of the invention in which R² is amino, or mono- or di-alkylamino may be prepared by conversion of the o-nitrobenzoic acid to the appropriate primary, secondary or tertiary amide by standard methods and cyclization as described above.

[0073] The o-nitrobenzaldehyde used in the chemistry described above may be alternatively prepared as shown below. The appropriate mono-allylated catechol is elaborated with glycidyl tosylate as described above and rearranged in refluxing mesitylene. Cyclization to the benzodioxan methanol is effected by treatment with sodium bicarbonate in ethanol and the alcohol is converted to the tosylate or halide as described above. After rearrangement of the double bond by treatment with catalytic bis-acetonitrile palladium (II) chloride in refluxing methylene chloride and cleavage with ozone or osmium tetroxide/sodium periodate as described above, the resulting aldehyde is regioselectively nitrated with a combination of nitric acid and tin (IV) chloride.

[0074] The guaiacols, catechols and amines appropriate to the above chemistry are known compounds or can be prepared by one schooled in the art. The compounds of the invention may be resolved into their enantiomers by conventional methods or, preferably, the individual enantiomers may be prepared directly by substitution of (2R)-(−)-glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate or tosylate (for the S benzodioxan methanamine) or (2S)-(+)-glycidyl 3-nitrobenzenesulfonate or tosylate (for the R enantiomer) in place of epihalohydrin or racemic glycidyl tosylate in the procedures above.

[0075] The antipsychotic activity of the compounds of the invention was established by a determination of functional antagonism of dopamine receptors in vivo, specifically the compounds' ability to reduce mouse locomotor activity according to the method of Martin and Bendensky, J. Pharmacol. Exp. Therap. 229:706-711, 1984, in which mice (male, CF-1, Charles River, 20-30 g) were injected with vehicle or various doses of each drug and locomotor activity was measured for 30 minutes using automated infrared activity monitors (Omnitech—8×8 inch open field) located in a darkened room. ED₅₀'s were calculated from the horizontal activity counts collected from 10 to 20 minutes after dosing using a nonlinear regression analysis with inverse prediction. When examined in this assay, the compounds of this invention, with the exception of example 3, produce ED₅₀'s of less than 50 mg/kg, sc.

[0076] Affinity for the dopamine D₂ receptor was established by a modification of the standard experimental test procedure of Seemen and Schaus, European Journal of Pharmacology 203:105-109, 1991, wherein homogenized rat striatal brain tissue is incubated with ³H-quinpirole and various concentrations of test compound, filtered and washed and counted in a Betaplate scintillation counter. The results of this testing with compounds representative of this invention are given below. D_(2.) Receptor Affinity Compound (IC₅₀ (nM)) Example 1 8.05 Example 2 58.8 Example 3 350 Example 4 36.7 Example 5 32.4 Example 6 4.8 Example 7 4.1

[0077] The compounds of the invention are partial agonists at the D₂ sub-family of dopamine receptors. At presynaptic dopamine receptors, the compounds of the invention are autoreceptor agonists; that is, they serve to modulate the synthesis and release of the neurotransmitter dopamine. At postsynaptic dopamine receptors, these compounds are capable of functioning as either agonists or antagonists depending on the level of dopaminergic stimulation. They thus serve to modulate dopaminergic neurotransmission and are thereby useful for treatment of disorders of the dopaminergic system, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA induced pychoses and dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome and hyperprolactinemia and in the treatment of drug addiction such as the addiction to ethanol, nicotine or cocaine and related illnesses.

[0078] Thus the present invention provides methods of treating, preventing, inhibiting or alleviating each of the maladies listed above in a mammal, preferably in a human, the methods comprising providing a pharmaceutically effective amount of a compound of this invention to the mammal in need thereof.

[0079] Also encompassed by the present invention are pharmaceutical compositions for treating or controlling disease states or conditions of the central nervous system comprising at least one compound of Formula I, mixtures thereof, and or pharmaceutical salts thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier therefore. Such compositions are prepared in accordance with acceptable pharmaceutical procedures, such as described in Remingtons Pharmaceutical Sciences, 17th edition, ed. Alfonoso R. Gennaro, Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. (1985). Pharmaceutically acceptable carriers are those that are compatible with the other ingredients in the formulation and biologically acceptable.

[0080] The compounds of this invention may be administered orally or parenterally, neat or in combination with conventional pharmaceutical carriers. Applicable solid carriers can include one or more substances which may also act as flavoring agents, lubricants, solubilizers, suspending agents, fillers, glidants, compression aids, binders or tablet-disintegrating agents or an encapsulating material. In powders, the carrier is a finely divided solid which is in admixture with the finely divided active ingredient. In tablets, the active ingredient is mixed with a carrier having the necessary compression properties in suitable proportions and compacted in the shape and size desired. The powders and tablets preferably contain up to 99% of the active ingredient. Suitable solid carriers include, for example, calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, talc, sugars, lactose, dextrin, starch, gelatin, cellulose, methyl cellulose, sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, polyvinylpyrrolidine, low melting waxes and ion exchange resins.

[0081] Liquid carriers may be used in preparing solutions, suspensions, emulsions, syrups and elixirs. The active ingredient of this invention can be dissolved or suspended in a pharmaceutically acceptable liquid carrier such as water, an organic solvent, a mixture of both or pharmaceutically acceptable oils or fat. The liquid carrier can contain other suitable pharmaceutical additives such as solubilizers, emulsifiers, buffers, preservatives, sweeteners, flavoring agents, suspending agents, thickening agents, colors, viscosity regulators, stabilizers or osmo-regulators. Suitable examples of liquid carriers for oral and parenteral administration include water (particularly containing additives as above e.g. cellulose derivatives, preferably sodium carboxymethyl cellulose solution), alcohols (including monohydric alcohols and polyhydric alcohols e.g. glycols) and their derivatives, and oils (e.g. fractionated coconut oil and arachis oil). For parenteral administration the carrier can also be an oily ester such as ethyl oleate and isopropyl myristate. Sterile liquid carriers are used in sterile liquid form compositions for parenteral administration.

[0082] Liquid pharmaceutical compositions which are sterile solutions or suspensions can be utilized by, for example, intramuscular, intraperitoneal or subcutaneous injection. Sterile solutions can also be administered intravenously. Oral administration may be either liquid or solid composition form.

[0083] Preferably the pharmaceutical composition is in unit dosage form, e.g. as tablets, capsules, powders, solutions, suspensions, emulsions, granules, or suppositories. In such form, the composition is sub-divided in unit dose containing appropriate quantities of the active ingredient; the unit dosage forms can be packaged compositions, for example packeted powders, vials, ampoules, prefilled syringes or sachets containing liquids. The unit dosage form can be, for example, a capsule or tablet itself, or it can be the appropriate number of any such compositions in package form.

[0084] The amount provided to a patient will vary depending upon what is being administered, the purpose of the administration, such as prophylaxis or therapy, and the state of the patient, the manner of administration, and the like. In therapeutic applications, compounds of the present invention are provided to a patient already suffering from a disease in an amount sufficient to cure or at least partially ameliorate the symptoms of the disease and its complications. An amount adequate to accomplish this is defined as a “therapeutically effective amount.” The dosage to be used in the treatment of a specific case must be subjectively determined by the attending physician. The variables involved include the specific condition and the size, age and response pattern of the patient. Generally, a starting dose is about 10 mg per day with gradual increase in the daily dose to about 200 mg per day, to provide the desired dosage level in the human.

[0085] Provide as used herein means either directly administering a compound or composition of the present invention, or administering a prodrug, derivative or analog which will form an equivalent amount of the active compound or substance within the body.

[0086] The present invention includes prodrugs of compounds of Formula I. “Prodrug”, as used herein means a compound which is convertible in vivo by metabolic means (e.g. by hydrolysis) to a compound of Formula I. Various forms of prodrugs are known in the art, for example, as discussed in Bundgaard, (ed.), Design of Prodrugs, Elsevier (1985); Widder, et al. (ed.), Methods in Enzymology, vol. 4, Academic Press (1985); Krogsgaard-Larsen, et al., (ed). “Design and Application of Prodrugs, Textbook of Drug Design and Development, Chapter 5, 113-191 (1991), Bundgaard, et al., Journal of Drug Deliver Reviews, 8:1-38(1992), Bundgaard, J. of Pharmaceutical Sciences, 77:285 et seq. (1988); and Higuchi and Stella (eds.) Prodrugs as Novel Drug Delivery Systems, American Chemical Society (1975).

[0087] The following examples illustrate the production of representative compounds of this invention.

INTERMEDIATE 1 3-Allyloxy-4-methoxynitrobenzene

[0088] 97.5 g (0.51 mole) of the sodium salt of 5-nitroguaiacol was dissolved in one liter of DMF and 1.5 equivalents of allyl bromide added. The reaction was heated to 65° C. for two hours, after which time much of the dark color had discharged and tlc (1:1 CH₂Cl₂/hexane) indicated loss of starting material. The solvent was concentrated in vacuum and the residue washed with water. The product was isolated by filtration and dried in a vacuum. This gave 112 g of pale yellow solid. A sample recrystallized from methanol, gave m.p. 93-94° C.

INTERMEDIATE 2 2-Allyloxy-4-nitrophenol

[0089] To one liter of dimethyl sulfoxide was added 750 mL of 2 N aqueous sodium hydroxide and the mixture was heated to 65° C. The pale yellow solid 3-allyloxy-4-methoxynitrobenzene prepared above was added in portions over a 30 minute period and then the temperature was raised to 95° C. and maintained for 3 hours, after which time the starting material had been consumed. The mixture was allowed to cool and poured into a mixture of 1 L ice and 1 L 2 N HCl. 73 Grams of crude but homogeneous (by tlc 1:1 CH₂Cl₂/hexane) desired product was isolated as a light brown solid by filtration. This material was subsequently dissolved in 1:1 hexane/methylene chloride and filtered through silica gel to give 68 g of pale yellow solid, which, when recrystallized from ethyl/acetate/hexane, gave m.p. 61-62° C. The aqueous mother liquors from the initial crystallization above were extracted with 2 L of ethyl acetate. This was dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to a dark oil. Column chromatography on silica with 1:1 CH₂Cl₂/hexane gave an additional 12 g of the title compound as a yellow solid. Elution with 2% MeOH in CHCl3 gave 12 g of a dark oil which slowly crystallized in vacuum. This proved to be the Claisen product, 3-allyl-4-nitrocatechol.

INTERMEDIATE 3 2-(2-Allyloxy-4-nitrophenoxymethyl)-oxirane

[0090] 20 g (0.50 mole) of 60% NaH/mineral oil was placed in a two liter flask and washed with 500 mL of hexane. 1 L of DMF was added, followed by 77 g (0.40 mole) of the 2-allyloxy-4-nitrophenol prepared in the previous step. Addition of the phenol was performed in portions under argon. After stirring the mixture for 30 minutes at room temperature under argon, 108 g (0.48 moles) of (R)-glycidyl tosylate was added and the mixture heated at 70-75° C. under nitrogen overnight. Upon cooling, the DMF was removed in vacuum and replaced with one liter of methylene chloride. This was washed with 500 mL portions of 2 N HCl, saturated sodium bicarbonate and saturated brine and dried over sodium sulfate. The mixture was filtered, concentrated to an oil in vacuum and column chromatographed on silica gel using 1:1 hexane/methylene chloride as eluant. This gave 43 g of product contaminated with traces of the two starting materials, followed by 21 g of pure product as a pale yellow solid. The impure material was recrystallized from 1.2 L of 10% ethyl acetate/hexane to give 34 g of pure (homogeneous on silica gel tlc with 1:1 hexane/methylene chloride) (R)-2-(2-allyloxy-4-nitrophenoxymethyl)-oxirane (m.p. 64° C.).

[0091] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₂H₁₃NO₅

[0092] Calc'd: C, 57.37; H, 5.21; N, 5.58

[0093] Found: C, 57.50; H, 5.21; N, 5.43

INTERMEDIATE 4 (8-Allyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-benzo(1,4)dioxin-2-yl)-methanol

[0094] (R)-2-(2-Allyloxy-4-nitrophenoxymethyl)-oxirane (20 g, 80 mmoles) prepared as above was heated at 155° C. in mesitylene for 24 hours under nitrogen. Filtration of the black solid which formed gave 1.5 g of very polar material. Evaporation of the solvent in vacuum followed by column chromatography on silica gel with methylene chloride as eluant gave 10 g of recovered starting material and 7.5 g of the desired rearranged (S)-(8-allyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-benzo(1,4)dioxin-2-yl)-methanol, which slowly crystallized on standing in vacuum (m.p. 67° C.). The yield based on recovered starting material is 75%.

[0095] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₂H₁₃NO₅

[0096] Calc'd: C, 57.37; H, 5.21; N, 5.58

[0097] Found: C, 57.26; H, 5.20; N, 5.35

INTERMEDIATE 5 Toluene-4-sulfonic acid 8-allyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-benzo(1,4)dioxin-2-ylmethyl ester

[0098] 9.55 g (38.0 mmole) of (S)-(8-allyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-benzo(1,4)dioxin-2-yl)-methanol was dissolved in 465 mL of pyridine, 29.0 g (152 mmole) of p-toluenesulfonyl chloride was added and the mixture stirred at room temperature under nitrogen overnight. Water was then added to quench the excess tosyl chloride and the solvent was removed in vacuum and replaced with methylene chloride. This solution was washed with 2 N HCl, with saturated sodium bicarbonate, and with saturated brine, and dried over magnesium sulfate. Filtration, evaporation in vacuum and column chromatography on silica gel with 1:1 hexane/methylene chloride as eluant gave 12.6 g (92%) of toluene-4-sulfonic acid (R)-allyl-7-nitro-2,3-benzo(1,4)dioxin-2-ylmethyl ester, which slowly crystallized to a tan solid (m.p. 60-62° C.) upon standing.

[0099] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₉H₁₉NO₇S

[0100] Calc'd: C, 56.29; H, 4.72; N, 3.45

[0101] Found: C, 56.13; H, 4.58; N, 3.44

INTERMEDIATE 6 {7-Nitro-8-[1-propenyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl}methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate

[0102] To a solution of 10.0 g (24.0 mmole) of (R)-[8-allyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl]methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate in 700 mL of benzene was added 1.03 g of bis(acetonitrile)dichloropalladium (II) and the mixture was refluxed under nitrogen for 48 hours. The catalyst was then removed by filtration and the filtrate concentrated in vacuum to a brown oil. Column chromatography on silica gel with methylene chloride as eluant gave 7.2 g of the title compound as a mixture of E and Z isomers. A sample of {(2R)-7-nitro-8[(E)-1-propenyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl}methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate was obtained as a yellow solid (m.p. 105-106° C.) by evaporation of a pure E isomer-containing fraction.

[0103] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₉H19NO7S

[0104] Calc'd: C, 56.29; H, 4.72; N, 3.45

[0105] Found: C, 56.12; H, 4.64; N, 3.39

INTERMEDIATE 7 (8-Formyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin -2-yl)methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate

[0106] {(2R)-7-Nitro-8-[1-propenyl]-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl}methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate (10.5 g, 25.9 mmole) dissolved in 400 mL of methylene chloride was treated with excess ozone at −78° C. Diisopropylethylamine (11.5 mL, 66.0 mmole) was then added dropwise over 30 min and the mixture allowed to come to room temperature and stir overnight under a nitrogen atmosphere. The mixture was then diluted to 600 mL with methylene chloride, washed three times with 100 mL portions of 2N HCl (aq), twice with 200 mL portions of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and with 200 mL of saturated brine. The solution was dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated in vacuum to a crude brown oil, which was column chromatographed on silica gel with 10% hexane/methylene chloride to give 7.52 g of the (R)-enantiomer of the title compound as a yellow solid. ¹H-NMR (CDCl₃): doublet 7.8 δ(2 H); doublet 7.62 δ(1 H); doublet 7.4 δ(2 H); doublet 7.0 δ(1 H); multiplet 4.4-4.6 δ(2 H); multiplet 4.2 δ(3 H); singlet 2.4 δ(3 H).

INTERMEDIATE 8 2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate

[0107] 19.7 g (87.4 mmole) of stannous chloride dihydrate was added to a solution of 6.62 g (17.5 mmole) of (2R)-(8-formyl-7-nitro-2,3-dihydro-1,4-benzodioxin-2-yl)methyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate in 400 mL of 1:1 tetrahydrofuran/methanol followed by the addition of 23.8 g (0.17 mole) of sodium acetate trihydrate. The mixture was stirred under nitrogen for a period of 48 hours. The solvent was removed in vacuo and replaced with an equal amount of methylene chloride and the solution was washed with 400 mL portions of saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate and saturated brine and dried over magnesium sulfate. After the solution was filtered and concentrated in vacuum, the crude oil obtained was column chromatographed on silica gel with methylene chloride as eluant and the product fractions were combined and evaporated in vacuum to give 4.47 g (71%) of the (R)-enantiomer of the title compound as a light yellow solid, m.p.109-110° C.

[0108] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₇H₁₅NO₆S·0.25 H₂O

[0109] Calc'd: C, 55.81; H, 4.27; N, 3.83

[0110] Found: C, 55.81; H, 4.03; N, 3.67

EXAMPLE 1 Benzyl-(-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-amine

[0111] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e] [2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.39 g, 1.11 mmole) and benzylamine (0.53 mL, 4.90 mmole) were combined in 25 mL of DMSO under nitrogen. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 5 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 0.5% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuum to give 0.16 g (30%) of the free base as a yellow oil. The oil was crystallized from ethanol with the addition of a solution of fumaric acid (0.06 g) in hot ethanol to give 0.090 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as a light yellow solid fumarate, m.p. 180° C.

[0112] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₇H₁₆N₂O₃·0.9 C₄H₄O₄

[0113] Calc'd: C, 61.73; H, 4.93; N, 6.99

[0114] Found: C, 61.93; H, 5.05; N, 7.00

EXAMPLE 2 8-(3,4-Dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene

[0115] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1] benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.50 g, 1.38 mmole) and tetrahydroisoquinoline (0.80 mL, 6.39 mmole) were combined in 25 mL of DMSO under nitrogen. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 5 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 1% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and evaporated in vacuum to give 0.38 g (86%) of the free base as a yellow oil. The oil was crystallized from ethanol with the addition of a solution of fumaric acid (0.14 g) in hot ethanol to give 0.41 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as a white solid fumarate, m.p. 175-176° C.

[0116] Elemental Analysis for: C₁₉H₁₈N₂O₃·C₄H₄O₄

[0117] Calc'd: C, 63.01; H, 5.06; N, 6.39

[0118] Found: C, 63.01; H, 5.00; N, 6.22

EXAMPLE 3 8-[4-(1H-Indol-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-1-ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene

[0119] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.60 g, 1.66 mmole) and 3-(1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-4-pyridinyl)-1H-indole (0.98 g, 4.90 mmole) were combined in 30 mL of DMSO under nitrogen. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 6 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 1% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. Upon evaporation of the product fractions, 0.47 g (73%) of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound was obtained as a white solid, m.p. 110° C.

[0120] Elemental Analysis for: C₂₃H₂₁N₃O₃

[0121] Calc'd: C, 71.30; H, 5.46; N, 10.85

[0122] Found: C, 71.17; H, 5.49; N, 10.78

EXAMPLE 4 8-[4-(5-Fluoro-1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene

[0123] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.50 g, 1.38 mmole) and 5-fluoro-3-(4-piperidinylmethyl)-1H-indole succinate (0.46 g, 1.32 mmole) were combined in 35 ml of DMSO, followed by the addition of diisopropylethylamine (0.70 mL, 4.0 mmole). This solution was heated to 70° C. under nitrogen for 4 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude oil was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 0.6% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuum to give 0.25 g (43%) of the free base as a white foam. This was crystallized from isopropanol with the addition of a solution of oxalic acid (0.04 g) in hot isopropanol to give 0.18 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as an off-white solid oxalate, m.p. 202-205° C.

[0124] Elemental Analysis for: C₂₄H₂₄FN₃O₃·C₂H₂O₄

[0125] Calc'd: C, 61.01; H, 5.12; N, 8.21

[0126] Found: C, 60.81; H, 5.02; N, 8.20

EXAMPLE 5 [1-(7,8-Dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-methanone

[0127] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.61 g, 1.69 mmole) and 4-(4-fluorobenzoyl)piperidine p-toluene-sulfonate (1.95 g, 5.13 mmole) were combined in 30 mL of DMSO, followed by the addition of 0.90 mL (5.16 mmole) of diisopropylethylamine. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 4 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 1% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuum to give 0.15 g (22%) of the free base as a yellow oil. The oil was crystallized from ethanol with the addition of a solution of fumaric acid (0.04 g) in hot ethanol to give 0.20 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as an off-white solid fumarate, m.p. 204-206° C.

[0128] Elemental Analysis for: C₂₂H₂₁FN₂O₄·1.00 C₄H₄O₄

[0129] Calc'd: C, 60.94; H, 4.92; N, 5.47

[0130] Found: C, 60.57; H, 5.01; N, 5.37

EXAMPLE 6 2,3-Dihydro-N-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,4-dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazole-2-methanamine

[0131] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.55 g, 1.5 mmole) and 3-(1H-indol-3-yl)-1-propanamine (1.20 g, 6.80 mmole) were combined in 35 mL of DMSO under nitrogen. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 5 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 1% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuum to give 0.40 g (73%) of the free base as a colorless oil. The oil was crystallized from isopropanol with the addition of a solution of oxalic acid (0.10 g, 1.11 mmole) in hot isopropanol to give 0.32 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as a white solid oxalate, m.p. 230° C.

[0132] Elemental Analysis for: C₂₁H₂₁N₃O₃·C₂H₂O₄·0.2 H₂O

[0133] Calc'd: C, 60.88; H, 5.11; N, 9.26

[0134] Found: C, 60.44; H, 5.16; N, 9.19

EXAMPLE 7 (7,8-Dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-(4-phenyl-butyl)-amine

[0135] (2R)-2,3-Dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methyl-benzenesulfonate (0.41 g, 1.13 mmole) and phenyl butylamine (0.80 mL, 5.11 mmole) were combined in 40 mL of DMSO under nitrogen. This solution was heated to 75-80° C. under nitrogen for 8 hours. After completion, the reaction was cooled to room temperature and partitioned between 400 mL each of ethyl acetate and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate. The organic phase was removed and washed with brine, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated in vacuum. The crude residue was column chromatographed on silica gel using methylene chloride to remove impurities and 5% methanol/methylene chloride to elute the product. The product fractions were combined and concentrated in vacuum to give 0.14 g (37%) of the free base as a yellow oil. The oil was crystallized from ethanol with the addition of a solution of fumaric acid (0.05 g) in hot ethanol to give 0.07 g of the (S)-enantiomer of the title compound as a light yellow solid fumarate, one-quarter hydrate, m.p. 172-174° C.

[0136] Elemental Analysis for: C₂₀H₂₂N₂O₃·C₄H₄O₄·0.25 H₂O

[0137] Calc'd: C, 62.80; H, 5.82; N, 6.10

[0138] Found: C, 62.62; H, 5.68; N, 6.08 

What is claimed is:
 1. A compound of formula I

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; Z is NR³—(CH₂)_(n)—Y,

wherein Y is hydrogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, or phenyl, substituted phenyl, phenoxy, substituted phenoxy, naphthyl, substituted naphthyl, naphthyloxy, substituted naphthyloxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy or substituted heteroaryloxy, wherein the heteroaryl or the heteroaryl group of heteroaryloxy is selected from thiophene, furan, pyridine, indole, chroman, coumarin, carbostyril, and quinoline; R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 0 to 6; R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl, ω-phenylalkyl, substituted ω-phenylalkyl, ω-diphenylalkyl, substituted ω-diphenylalkyl, wherein the alkyl chain contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, indole, substituted indole, indazole, substituted indazole, pyridine, substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted pyrimidine, quinoline, substituted quinoline, benzoisothiazole, substituted benzoisothiazole, benzisoxazole, or substituted benzisoxazole; R⁵ is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano or carboxamido; R⁶ is hydrogen, 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted, or —Q—Ar; Q is C═O, CHOH, or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4; Ar is phenyl optionally substituted; or R⁵ and R⁶, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form

R⁷ is hydrogen; R⁸ is phenyl, naphthyl, thiophene, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted; or R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form phenyl or substituted phenyl; R⁹ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are, independently hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 2. A compound of claim 1 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halo, R² is hydrogen, Z is NR³—(CH₂)_(n)—Y and R³ is hydrogen.
 3. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl, Z is

and R⁴ is phenyl, indole, indazole, pyridine, pyrimidine, quinoline, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.
 4. A compound of claim 3 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halogen and R² is hydrogen.
 5. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl, Z is

R⁵ is hydrogen or hydroxy and R⁶ is 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.
 6. A compound of claim 5 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halogen, R² is hydrogen and R⁵ is hydrogen.
 7. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl, Z is

R⁵ is hydrogen or hydroxy, R⁶ is —Q—Ar, Q is C═O or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4, and Ar is phenyl or indole, each optionally substituted.
 8. A compound of claim 7 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halogen, R² is hydrogen, and R⁵ is hydrogen.
 9. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl, Z is

R⁷ is hydrogen and R⁸ is phenyl, indole, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted.
 10. A compound of claim 9 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halogen and R² is hydrogen.
 11. A compound of claim 1 wherein R² is hydrogen, alkyl of one to six carbon atoms or trifluoromethyl, Z is

and R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached form phenyl or substituted phenyl.
 12. A compound of claim 11 wherein R¹ is hydrogen, methoxy or halogen and R² is hydrogen.
 13. The compound of claim 1 which is benzyl-(-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-amine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 14. The compound of claim 1 which is 8-(3,4-dihydro-1H-isoquinolin-2-ylmethyl)-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 15. The compound of claim 1 which is 8-[4-(1H-indol-3-yl)-3,6-dihydro-2H-pyridin-1-ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 16. The compound of claim 1 which is 8-[4-(5-fluoro-1H-indol-3-ylmethyl)-piperidin-1-ylmethyl]-7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalene or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 17. The compound of claim 1 which is [1-(7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-piperidin-4-yl]-(4-fluoro-phenyl)-methanone or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 18. The compound of claim 1 which is 2,3-dihydro-N-[3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propyl]-1,4-dioxino[2,3-e][2,1]benzisoxazole-2-methanamine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 19. The compound of claim 1 which is (7,8-dihydro-2,6,9-trioxa-3-aza-cyclopenta[a]naphthalen-8-ylmethyl)-(4-phenyl-butyl)-amine or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 20. A compound of formula (II)

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; and X is halogen, hydroxy, alkylsulfonate of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, trifluoro-methanesulfonate or benzenesulfonate, in which the benzene ring is optionally substituted with halogen, nitro, trifluoromethyl, cyano, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms or alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms.
 21. A compound of claim 20 which is 2,3-dihydro[1,4]dioxino[2,3-e]-[2,1]-benzisoxazol-2-ylmethyl 4-methylbenzenesulfonate.
 22. A method of treating a subject suffering from a condition selected from schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, Parkinson's disease, L-DOPA induced psychoses or dyskinesias, Tourette's syndrome or hyperprolactinemia which comprises providing to the subject suffering from said condition, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; Z is NR³—(CH₂)_(n)—Y,

wherein, Y is hydrogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, or phenyl, substituted phenyl, phenoxy, substituted phenoxy, naphthyl, substituted naphthyl, naphthyloxy, substituted naphthyloxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy or substituted heteroaryloxy, wherein the heteroaryl or the heteroaryl group of heteroaryloxy is selected from thiophene, furan, pyridine, indole, chroman, coumarin, carbostyril, and quinoline; R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 0 to 6; R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl, ω-phenylalkyl, substituted ω-phenylalkyl, ω-diphenylalkyl, substituted ω-diphenylalkyl, wherein the alkyl chain contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, indole, substituted indole, indazole, substituted indazole, pyridine, substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted pyrimidine, quinoline, substituted quinoline, benzoisothiazole, substituted benzoisothiazole, benzisoxazole, or substituted benzisoxazole; R⁵ is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano or carboxamido; R⁶ is hydrogen, 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted, or —Q—Ar; Q is C═O, CHOH, or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4; Ar is phenyl optionally substituted; or R⁵ and R⁶, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form

R⁷ is hydrogen; R⁸ is phenyl, naphthyl, thiophene, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted; or R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form phenyl or substituted phenyl; R⁹ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are, independently hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.
 23. The method of claim 22 wherein the subject is a human.
 24. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula I

wherein R¹ is hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; R² is hydrogen, carboxy, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of one to six carbon atoms or alkyl of one to six carbon atoms; Z is NR³—(CH₂)n—Y,

wherein, Y is hydrogen, hydroxy, cycloalkyl of 3 to 15 carbon atoms, or phenyl, substituted phenyl, phenoxy, substituted phenoxy, naphthyl, substituted naphthyl, naphthyloxy, substituted naphthyloxy, heteroaryl, substituted heteroaryl, heteroaryloxy or substituted heteroaryloxy, wherein the heteroaryl or the heteroaryl group of heteroaryloxy is selected from thiophene, furan, pyridine, indole, chroman, coumarin, carbostyril, and quinoline; R³ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; n is an integer from 0 to 6; R⁴ is hydrogen, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, phenyl, substituted phenyl, ω-phenylalkyl, substituted ω-phenylalkyl, ω-diphenylalkyl, substituted ω-diphenylalkyl, wherein the alkyl chain contains 1 to 4 carbon atoms, indole, substituted indole, indazole, substituted indazole, pyridine, substituted pyridine, pyrimidine, substituted pyrimidine, quinoline, substituted quinoline, benzoisothiazole, substituted benzoisothiazole, benzisoxazole, or substituted benzisoxazole; R⁵ is hydrogen, hydroxy, cyano or carboxamido; R⁶ is hydrogen, 1-benzimidazol-2-one, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted, or —Q—Ar; Q is C═O, CHOH, or (CH₂)_(m), m is an integer from 0 to 4; Ar is phenyl optionally substituted; or R⁵ and R⁶, taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached, form

R⁷ is hydrogen; R⁸ is phenyl, naphthyl, thiophene, benzoisothiazole, or benzisoxazole, each optionally substituted; or R⁷ and R⁸, taken together with the carbon atoms to which they are attached, form phenyl or substituted phenyl; R⁹ is hydrogen or alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; and R¹⁰, R¹¹ and R¹² are, independently hydrogen, halo, cyano, carboxamido, carboalkoxy of two to six carbon atoms, trifluoromethyl, alkyl of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkoxy of 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanoyloxy of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, amino, mono- or di-alkylamino in which each alkyl group has 1 to 6 carbon atoms, alkanamido of 2 to 6 carbon atoms, or alkanesulfonamido of 1 to 6 carbon atoms; or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or excipient. 